THE PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS
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The document discusses the biblical process of forgiveness as illustrated in Genesis 44:16, focusing on three key stages: astonishment at sin, acknowledgment of wrongdoing, and acquiescence to serve. It emphasizes the necessity of recognizing one's depravity and the concept that all serve God's purposes. The conclusion invites acceptance and reconciliation, as demonstrated by Joseph's response to his brothers.
THE PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS
- 1. The Process of Forgiveness Text: Gen 44:16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. Intro: …God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants… Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. I. Astonishment- What shall we say unto my lord? …behold… Recognition of the depravity of sin; only reasonable response is: “What shall we say unto my lord?”.
- 2. Behold- nothing hidden. Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. “behold” Ezra 9:10-11 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, 11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. “behold” Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? “behold” Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. “behold”
- 3. Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. “behold” II. Acknowledgment- what shall we speak? …we are… John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. “we speak” 1Thess 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. “we speak” Gen 44:4-5 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? 5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. “we are”
- 4. Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. “we are” Isa 3:11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. Isa 59:12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- 5. Jer 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Prov 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. III. Acquiescence- how shall we clear ourselves? …we are my lord's servants… A servant does not qualify to serve, his duty is to serve, that is why he was purchased. Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
- 6. 1Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Matt 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Acts 26:19-20 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Conclusion: Acceptance Gen 45:4-5 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. Gen 45:24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them,
- 7. See that ye fall not out by the way. THE PROCESSOFFORGIVENESS TEXT: GEN 44:16 INTRO: I. ASTONISHMENT- WHAT SHALL WE SAY UNTO MY LORD? …BEHOLD… II. ACKNOWLEDGMENT- WHAT SHALL WE SPEAK? …WE ARE… III. ACQUIESCENCE- HOW SHALL WE CLEAR OURSELVES? …WE ARE MY LORD'S SERVANTS… CONCLUSION: ACCEPTANCE GEN 45:4-5